Carolyn Bessette or a fashion icon's tragic fate

Once Upon a Time is the title of the biography of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, C.B.K., written by Elizabeth Beller and published in 2024. “Once upon a time,” the prince of America, John F. Kennedy Jr., fell in love with a Calvin Klein executive, an ordinary woman in many respects, yet a rising fashion icon far removed from the tumultuous world of the Kennedy family…

    The biography inspired a miniseries created by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story, Glee, etc.), which aired in February 2025: Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, starring Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn and Paul Anthony Kelly as John.

    Carolyn Bessette was born on January 7, 1966. Coming from a middle-class family, it was difficult for young Carolyn to build connections in her chosen field: fashion. In 1989, she worked as a sales associate at Calvin Klein in Boston. Nevertheless, her chic, refined taste and her outspoken personality quickly set her apart; she was soon transferred to Manhattan to work at the luxury house’s headquarters. Carolyn Bessette rapidly climbed the ranks and later became Director of Public Relations and Fashion Shows for the brand, once again noticed by the president of Calvin Klein Collection, Ann Sokol.

    It was at this time that Carolyn met the man who would propel her into the media spotlight: John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr., nicknamed John-John, son of the president assassinated in 1963, John F. Kennedy.

    Their romantic relationship began in 1994, and they married in 1996. The young couple only enjoyed a few years of married life before the tragic plane crash that killed them both — along with Carolyn’s older sister, Lauren Bessette, in 1999.

    Since then, the couple’s story, and Carolyn herself, have continued to fascinate. She has often been described as an American Lady Di, in reference to Diana Spencer. Caught between socialite life and a marriage scrutinized by the entire world, Carolyn was relentlessly harassed by the tabloid press; paparazzi did not make her life easy. Yet more than 25 years after her death, social media has revived interest in CBK’s love story and signature style, especially since the release of Love Story.

    With her blazers, plain tops, and timeless boots, Carolyn stood in stark contrast to the flashy fashion of the era. Embracing a minimalist chic aesthetic also worn by Kate Moss, whom she notably discovered, and Jennifer Aniston, she became an ambassador for the timeless elegance of the 1990's fashion. This understated aesthetic, often referred to today as “quiet luxury,” defined by high-end pieces with no visible logos, was deeply embedded in CBK’s style.

    Today, this look has returned to prominence, championed by luxury houses such as Hermes, Celine, and the Italian brand Bottega Veneta.

Source de l'image d'illustration : Unsplash, libre de droit